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Start-Up, Scale-Up by Lloyds Bank Academy
Access healthcare online
Learn how getting online can help you look after your health and access the things you need.
Introduction to 'Access healthcare online'
From booking appointments to renewing your prescription, online services can help you manage your healthcare more quickly and easily.
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the internet for your health needs. We’ll help you to find and use the health services you need, online.
Why manage your healthcare online?
Many doctors and dentists let you access their services online. This means you get the help you need without having to spend time on the phone, or having to visit their clinic in person. You can also keep your documents and details on your mobile device to use them easily on the move.
Here are some websites and apps that can help you manage your healthcare online.
The NHS website
As our national health service, the NHS online service is the first place to go for all your health needs online. Each country in the UK has their own NHS website, with details about the services they offer. Use your local NHS website to search for health services and guides.
Find your local site here:
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- Search conditions, symptoms, tests and treatments.
- Access GP services – register with a GP, see your health records and test results, book appointments.
- Find other NHS services – including pharmacies, hospitals and mental health services.
- Find your NHS number.
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- Check your symptoms.
- Find services near you – like dentists, GPs, hospitals and other health services.
- Get tips on healthy living.
- Look up hospital waiting times for planned procedures.
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- Look up symptoms, illnesses, tests and treatments.
- Find health and care services that are local to you.
- Get help understanding your rights about your treatments and care.
- Access self-help guides and tools.
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- Find out about your local health and social care services and how to use them.
- Look up hospital waiting times for the different Health and Social Care trusts.
- Access useful links that can help you to get health care help.
- Find out more about living a healthier lifestyle.
Each website in the UK offers slightly different things. If you can't find what you need, it's helpful to refer back to the NHS website, as a main hub for the other websites.
The 111 service
Use this service if you have an urgent healthcare need that isn’t life-threatening. They’ll ask you some questions and direct you to the right NHS service for you.
You don't need to have a GP to use 111.
You can:
The NHS app
If you live in England or the Isle of Man, you have access to an NHS app through your device's app store.
You can use the NHS app to:
Getting started with the NHS app
Follow these steps to get set up on the app:
Booking appointments online
In England, you should be able to use the NHS app to book appointments and manage your medicines. Outside of England and where the NHS app doesn’t work, you may still be able to book appointments online.
Many GP surgeries have their own online booking systems, too. Not sure if they do? Visit their website or search online for the surgery name.
Dentists and other healthcare agencies also have online services. Some let you book and change appointments. Others show contact details and important information. Visit their website or find them through an online search.
Looking up medical advice online
The internet can really help you with your health. You can use it to look up symptoms or find local services.
Just be careful how you use it. Online services can’t replace or match the support of a doctor or healthcare services. And non-NHS websites don’t always have the best or most up-to-date advice.
Online vs. in-person help
When you see a doctor in person, they look at any issues you might have. This helps them get a better picture of what you need and offer their expert advice.
The internet, though convenient, may only give you general advice. You can’t always use it to get a clear picture of what’s wrong.
Want to learn more?
Using the internet and online services
Make the most of being online
Build your digital confidence
Lloyds Bank Academy is committed to providing information in a way that is accessible and useful for our users. This information, however, is not in any way intended to amount to authority or advice on which reliance should be placed. You should seek professional advice as appropriate and required. Any sites, products or services named in this module are just examples of what's available. Lloyds Bank does not endorse the services they provide. The information in this module was last updated on 2nd March 2026.